Gemotions

“And the winner is… Ben!” The words, announced in a jovial voice, seemed to reverberate in Maria's ears, each echo a fresh wound. She felt a burning sensation in her chest, a tightness that made it hard to breathe. The applause felt like a distant, cruel mockery.

She gave a polite smile and clapped, her hands frozen mid-air, a marionette on a taut string. The small talk was excruciating. Each well-meaning colleague's remark only served to twist the knife.

She slipped away, feigning a sudden headache. The elevator ride down seemed to take forever. The world outside seemed a little less bright, the air heavy with an unspoken truth.